A buying spree by Apple has triggered a rumour that the iPhone 5 could come equipped with a curved glass screen according to digittimes. The Cupertino based company has reportedly purchased 2-300 specialist glass cutting machines which are used to precision cut curved glass.

The machines are currently being stored at various locations where Apple currently manufacture their products, but why would Apple want a curved surface instead of a flat one? Many believe usability is the driving force, when Google unveiled the Nexus S last year it came with a slightly curved screen which they said gave better viewing and more comfortable contours when pressed up against the users face. Perhaps Apple wants to produce a similar screen, at this stage it’s anyones guess.

Other news relates to the iPhone 5 release date which many are predicting will still fall in September despite recent events in Japan and last weeks explosion at a Foxconn plant used to manufacture Apple components. There is still a distinct possibility that the iPhone 5 could be unveiled at next months WWDC although it’s more likely Apple will use this event to showcase developments with iOS and OSx.

Last week news broke that the iPhone 5 will use the same hardware as the iPhone 4, this is very unlikely as Apple is tipped to install the new dual core A5 processor and beefed up cameras and edge to edge screen, granted it may look similar but certainly won’t use the same hardware as the current iPhone.

Richard Sharp is the founder of gadgetsandgizmos.org. He loves technology, gadgets (comes with the territory) and social media. You'll find him writing features, attending events and playing with cool tech. Life's good.